Bihar’s first phase of Assembly polls begins soon, the Election Commission bans bulk SMS, voice calls, and political ads during the 48-hour silence period. Ads on TV, radio, cinema, and displays in polling areas are also prohibited. The directive aims to ensure a level playing field before voting concludes, promoting fair and transparent elections.
The Supreme Court deferred a plea to October 15 by Sonam Wangchuk’s wife challenging his NSA detention. Advocate Kapil Sibal argued no arrest grounds were shared, violating Article 22. The petition claims the detention aims to silence Wangchuk’s peaceful environmental movement in Ladakh and questions his transfer to a distant jail in Jodhpur.
Sikkim’s Ecclesiastical Department issued an advisory after tattoos depicting deities below the waist at a recent event were deemed offensive. The government urged people to respect local faiths, calling such depictions culturally insensitive. Citizens are asked to avoid actions that could hurt religious sentiments and traditional beliefs of the region.
JDU MP Ajay Kumar Mandal from Bhagalpur has written to CM Nitish Kumar, seeking permission to resign over ticket distribution issues. He alleged that local leadership and his 20-25 years of service are being ignored, claiming certain party members distribute tickets in his constituency without consultation, sidelining dedicated workers ahead of assembly polls.
Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation for National Highway projects worth over ₹2,000 crore in Puducherry today, aiming to enhance connectivity and ease congestion. The event, attended by Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan and CM N. Rangaswamy, is expected to significantly boost tourism, infrastructure, and the Union Territory’s economic growth.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an alert against three substandard cough syrups, Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife, identified in India, after 25 child deaths linked to kidney failure in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. WHO urged global regulatory bodies to report detections and enhance vigilance across supply chains to prevent further harm.
Senior IPS officer Om Prakash Singh has been appointed as the acting Director General of Police (DGP) of Haryana after incumbent Shatrujeet Singh Kapur went on leave amid the controversy over IPS officer Y Puran Kumar’s suicide. The appointment order was issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Mishra Singh, confirming Singh’s additional charge.
An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 struck China’s Xinjiang province, with the epicenter located at 41.65°N latitude and 81.14°E longitude. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, prompting residents to flee their homes in panic. So far, no casualties or major damage have been reported, and authorities are monitoring the situation.
Opposition leaders have intensified pressure on the Haryana govt over IPS officer Y Puran Kumar’s alleged suicide, demanding action on his final note and his wife’s police complaint against senior officers. Rahul Gandhi will meet the family today. The family has withheld consent for autopsy and cremation, seeking FIR registration and arrests of accused officers.
Security forces in Kupwara’s Machil sector killed two terrorists along the LoC during a joint operation after detecting suspicious movement. Bodies were recovered this morning. BSF has heightened vigilance ahead of winter amid intelligence of launch pads across the border, while also engaging locals through events like the Wular 2.0 Marathon.
Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi made key remarks amid rising tensions with Pakistan, stating that Afghans do not seek conflict with any nation. He emphasized that all five neighboring countries share good relations with Afghanistan, except Pakistan, which he labeled a terror state, highlighting the diplomatic rift between Kabul and Islamabad.
US President Trump praised India as “a great country” with “a very good friend at the top,” indirectly referring to PM Modi, while looking at Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif at an Egyptian summit after Gaza’s ceasefire. Trump highlighted peaceful India-Pakistan ties, lauded Sharif and Gen Asim Munir, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, has sought 14-day interim bail to contest Bihar assembly polls from Bahdaruganj as an Independent. Incarcerated since 2020, the JNU scholar cited family constraints and requested bail from November 15-29, referencing a similar interim relief granted to Engineer Rashid in 2024.
Vijay Mallya has withdrawn his UK bankruptcy annulment plea ahead of a London hearing, allowing the Trustee in Bankruptcy to continue pursuing his assets to recover £1.05 billion owed to Indian banks led by SBI. The High Court upheld the bankruptcy order, with Mallya’s annulment bid halted amid stalled legal proceedings in India.
BC leader R Krishnaiah announced a Telangana bandh today, Oct 14, protesting the High Court’s interim stay on 42% BC reservations in local bodies. He accused the Congress-led government of negligence and urged political parties to support the bandh. The quota had followed a caste survey and commission report but was halted by the High […]